THE SCROLL OPENED BY CHRIST JESUS

B. Mills

Realizing one can do little more than introduce the book of Revelation in the four weekly studies of December, last week I briefly introduced up to the letters to the seven churches of Asia. An earlier study already published, based on Revelation 3:14:22, asks the question, “Is This the Church of Today?” That was study #99. Whether the seven churches represent the condition of the church during seven chronological periods of time, or simply mean to cover a full spectrum of possible faults they represent, really makes little difference. They are there to serve as a warning or encouragement depending on the local congregation from that time onward.

Today, we are blessed to see a glimpse of Heaven through John’s eyes. This vision brings us through the turmoil leading up to the judgment. It opens before the very throne of God, where there clearly is no one worthy who open the scroll and reveal its message, until the very Son of God steps forward and does so.

Revelation 5:5-10 (King James Version)

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
(Genesis 49:9, Hebrews 7:14, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 11:10, Romans 15:12, Revelation 22:16)

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Revelation 4:4, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:14, John 1:29, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8, Daniel 8:3, Zechariah 4:9, Revelation 1:4)

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. (Revelation 5:1)

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 4:6, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:11, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 4:10, John 1:29, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14:2, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 15:7, Psalm 141:2, Revelation 8:3)

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Psalm 33:3, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 149:1, Isaiah 42:10, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Revelation 14:3, Daniel 3:4, Daniel 5:19, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 10:11, Revelation 11:9, Revelation 13:7, Revelation 14:6, Revelation 17:15)

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 1:6, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 20:4)

Only Christ Jesus is worthy to break the seals and reveal what lay ahead, for only by his sacrificial death can anyone be saved, for “all have sinned and fallen short.” (Romans 3:23) Underlying the message of all the lambs that had been sacrificed since the law was delivered to Moses and the Tabernacle of the wilderness wanderings, and ultimately of the Temple in Jerusalem were dedicated, was the fact that Christ Jesus would be the final sacrificial lamb. Only through Him, can any man be saved. As he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) Being a scroll, it was sealed at seven intervals. These are opened one by one, leading up to the judgment and the glory of Heaven, prepare and reserved for the Saints, the family of God.